Patents by Inventor Kurtis L. Geerlings

Kurtis L. Geerlings has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20200233276
    Abstract: An electro-optic device is provided that includes a first substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface; a first electrode provided at the inner surface of the first substrate; a second substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the second substrate faces the inner surface of the first substrate; a second electrode provided at the inner surface of the second substrate; and an electro-optic medium provided between the inner surfaces of the first and second substrates. The first electrode includes a metal mesh formed from metal tracings and having open areas between the metal tracings; and a first transparent conductive coating electrically coupled to the metal mesh and extending at least between the metal tracings so as to extend across the open areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian Gao, George A. Neuman, Kurtis L. Geerlings
  • Publication number: 20200234069
    Abstract: An alignment system comprises a first diffractive optical element comprising an image and a laser source. The image is visible when the laser source is viewed from a desired field of view through the diffractive optical element. The laser source may be configured to produce a beam of light that will extend through at least a portion of the first diffractive optical element, thereby illuminating the image. The first diffractive optical element and the laser source may be disposed in a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, Winston D. Carr, Adam R. Heintzelman, Xiaoxu Niu
  • Publication number: 20200198436
    Abstract: An air quality system for a vehicle comprises a chemical detection apparatus comprising a plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors for sensing a plurality of airborne materials in a compartment of the vehicle. The plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors are configured to adjust a characteristic electrical signal in response to changes in the presence of the plurality of airborne materials. The chemical detection apparatus further comprises a processor coupled to the nanofiber chemical sensor, wherein the processor is configured to monitor the characteristic electrical signals from the nanofiber chemical sensors and generate a detection signal in response to a changes in the characteristic electrical signals. The processor is in communication with a controller configured to control at least one vehicle system in response to the detection of one or more of the airborne materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Remijn, Darin D. Tuttle, Kurtis L. Geerlings
  • Publication number: 20200186701
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises a first light source configured to project a first illumination onto a vehicle occupant and a second light source configured to project a second illumination onto the vehicle occupant. The system further comprises an imager comprising a pixel array. A lens apparatus comprises a first lens comprising a first field of view and a second lens comprising a second field of view. At least one shutter is selectively controlled to transmit the first illumination from the first lens to the pixel array. The at least one shutter is further controlled to selectively transmit the second illumination from the second lens to the pixel array. The imager is configured to process the first illumination in the first field of view and the second illumination in the second field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Adam R. Heintzelman, Xiaoxu Niu
  • Patent number: 10610975
    Abstract: A method of removing material from an opposite side of workpiece includes directing a laser beam at a first side of the workpiece to remove the material from an opposite second side of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry A. Luten, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Donald L. Bareman
  • Patent number: 10607975
    Abstract: A substrate has a first side and an opposing second side. The opposing second side has a first portion and a second portion. The substrate is at least partially transparent to visible light. A coating layer is disposed over the first portion but not the second portion of the opposing second side of the substrate. The second portion has an ablated surface including a hexagonal packed surface profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kurtis L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 10604075
    Abstract: A vehicle display mirror system is disclosed. The system comprises an electro-optic device configured to switch between a mirror state and a display state. The electro-optic device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate forming a cavity. The cavity is configured to retain an electro-optic medium that is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. The system further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device. The substantially transparent display comprises a switchable output grating configured to selectively diffract light outward from the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, William L. Tonar
  • Publication number: 20200094780
    Abstract: An authentication apparatus configured to identify a user comprises a scanning apparatus configured to capture identifying information of the user and a feedback apparatus configured to communicate alignment information for the scanning apparatus to a user. A controller is in communication with the scanning apparatus and the alignment apparatus. The controller is configured to activate the feedback apparatus to reveal the alignment information identifying an alignment with the scanning apparatus. The controller is further configured to capture the identifying information of the user and identify the user in response to the identifying information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Bostrom, Christopher B. Case, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Xiaoxu Niu, Adam R. Heintzelman
  • Publication number: 20200092970
    Abstract: An illumination system for a lighting assembly comprises a light assembly configured to selectively illuminate an operating region in a surgical suite and a plurality of light sources positioned within the light assembly and configured to emit light. The system further comprises at least one imager configured to capture image data and a controller. The controller is configured to scan the image data in at least one region of interest for a shaded region and identify a location of the shaded region within the region of interest. The controller is further configured to control the light assembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emit light impinging on the shaded region within the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Falb, Kurtis L. Geerlings, William L. Tonar, Bradley R. Hamlin, Jeremy A. Schut, Mark A. VanVuuren, Steven J. Veenman
  • Patent number: 10585323
    Abstract: A product includes a substrate that is at least partially transparent to visible light. The substrate includes a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a conductive layer disposed on the opposing second surface. The conductive layer has a first ablated area and a second ablated area entirely disposed within and overlapping a portion of the first ablated area. The second ablated area includes a selectively visible indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, Mark R. Roth, David J. Cammenga, Henry A. Luten
  • Patent number: 10517158
    Abstract: An illumination system for a lighting assembly comprises a light assembly configured to selectively illuminate an operating region in a surgical suite and a plurality of light sources positioned within the light assembly and configured to emit light. The system further comprises at least one imager configured to capture image data and a controller. The controller is configured to scan the image data for at least one region of interest comprising at least one of a shaded region and a contaminated region and identify a location of the region of interest in the operating region. The controller is further configured to control the light assembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emit light on the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Falb, Kurtis L. Geerlings, William L. Tonar, Bradley R. Hamlin, Jeremy A. Schut, Mark A. VanVuuren, Steven J. Veenman
  • Publication number: 20190383692
    Abstract: A plumbing detection system includes a detector configured to be coupled to a fluid system which includes a pulse generator configured to emit a pulse into a fluid within the fluid system. A pulse receiver is configured to detect a reflected pulse. A transmitter and a base station is configured to be coupled to the fluid system. The base station includes a receiver in communication with the transmitter and is configured to cause a reduction of a flow of the fluid within the fluid system in response to the receiver receiving a signal from the transmitter of the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Robert R. Turnbull
  • Publication number: 20190346742
    Abstract: An imager module for a vehicle includes an imager having an imager lens. The imager is configured to collect image data from at least one of inside and outside the vehicle. A cover is disposed proximate the imager lens and configured to allow the imager to capture image data through the cover. The cover is operable between a first condition, wherein the imager is generally visible through the cover, and a second condition, wherein the imager is generally concealed from view by the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Xiaoxu Niu, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Jason D. Hallack, Robert R. Turnbull, Carl N. Wassink
  • Publication number: 20190344389
    Abstract: A laser system includes a laser configured to provide a laser beam and a laser delivery assembly including a waveplate. The laser delivery assembly is positioned to receive the laser beam from the laser and direct the laser beam toward a substrate to facilitate forming a separation line within the substrate along a process path. An instantaneous direction of the process path relative to a direction of a crystalline plane of the substrate defines a process path angle. The laser delivery assembly is configured to selectively rotate at least one of the waveplate or the substrate to control a polarization angle of the laser beam based on (i) an instantaneous direction of polarization of the laser beam and (ii) the process path angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: KURTIS L. GEERLINGS, Donald L. BAREMAN, David J. CAMMENGA, Niels A. OLESEN
  • Patent number: 10471546
    Abstract: A laser system is configured to produce a distribution of self-focus damage volumes through the thickness of a substrate. A laser of the laser system produces a laser beam, and an optical assembly receives the laser beam and emits a conditioned laser beam having a geometric focal region. Placing the substrate in the path of the conditioned beam shifts the focal region to an effective focal region. The optical assembly and/or optical elements thereof can be configured such that the distribution of self-focus damage volumes is uniform over the thickness of the substrate by accounting for the non-linear effects of the substrate on the light that propagates through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Geerlings, Donald L. Bareman, Henry A. Luten, Niels A. Olesen, David J. Cammenga
  • Publication number: 20190339580
    Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic (TPV) integrated directly into the structure of an electrochromic (EC) device is beneficial in that it can eliminate at least one substrate and provide more uniform coloring. Integration of a transparent photovoltaic with an electrochromic device may also reduce or eliminate the need for an electrical bus on a substrate. In some embodiments, positioning the TPV internally with the EC cell may eliminate the need for additional substrate layers or a conductive layer on one side of the TPV cell. Integrating a PV cell into the EC device can additionally reduce the need for external wiring and an external power supply. Alternatively, the TPV can assist in charging a battery where the battery can be used to power the EC device when there is no sunlight available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Sue F. Franz, William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, George A. Neuman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Donald L. Bareman, Kevin L. Ash
  • Publication number: 20190323979
    Abstract: A detector is provided including a plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors, each having an electrical characteristic; and a processing and alarm circuit in electrical communication with the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors; wherein the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors changes in the presence of a first airborne material; wherein the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors changes in the presence of a second airborne material; and wherein the changes in the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors in the presence of the first airborne material are different from the changes in the electrical characteristics of at least one of the plurality of nanofiber chemical sensors in the presence of the second airborne material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Joel C. Nemes, William L. Tonar, David E. Christian, Darin D. Tuttle, Xiaoxu Niu
  • Patent number: 10423044
    Abstract: A transparent photovoltaic (TPV) integrated directly into the structure of an electrochromic (EC) device is beneficial in that it can eliminate at least one substrate and provide more uniform coloring. Integration of a transparent photovoltaic with an electrochromic device may also reduce or eliminate the need for an electrical bus on a substrate. In some embodiments, positioning the TPV internally with the EC cell may eliminate the need for additional substrate layers or a conductive layer on one side of the TPV cell. Integrating a PV cell into the EC device can additionally reduce the need for external wiring and an external power supply. Alternatively, the TPV can assist in charging a battery where the battery can be used to power the EC device when there is no sunlight available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sue F. Franz, William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, George A. Neuman, Kurtis L. Geerlings, Donald L. Bareman, Kevin L. Ash
  • Publication number: 20190258130
    Abstract: A method for removing a material from a surface of a substrate includes impinging a laser beam on the material during a first sweep to remove the material from the surface along a first line and impinging the laser beam on the material during a second sweep to remove the material from the surface along a second line adjacent to the first line. The first line includes first artifacts that form a first portion of an array of artifacts on the surface. The second line includes second artifacts that form a second portion of the array of artifacts on the surface. A first laser pulse of the laser beam corresponding with the second sweep is synchronized with a start of the second sweep when transitioning between the first line and the second line such that the start of the second sweep coincides with the first laser pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Henry A. Luten, Donald L. Bareman, Thomas J. Scott, Kurtis L. Geerlings, William L. Tonar, Niels A. Olesen
  • Publication number: 20190254143
    Abstract: An illumination system for a lighting assembly comprises a light assembly configured to selectively illuminate an operating region in a surgical suite and a plurality of light sources positioned within the light assembly and configured to emit light. The system further comprises at least one imager configured to capture image data and a controller. The controller is configured to scan the image data for at least one region of interest comprising at least one of a shaded region and a contaminated region and identify a location of the region of interest in the operating region. The controller is further configured to control the light assembly to activate at least one of the light sources to emit light on the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D. Hallack, Joshua D. Lintz, David M. Falb, Kurtis L. Geerlings, William L. Tonar, Bradley R. Hamlin, Jeremy A. Schut, Mark A. VanVuuren, Steven J. Veenman